Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
ATK6
Alternative Trek to Palcoyo
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Description
Map
Tour Highlights
- Palcoyo Mountain
- Stone Valley
- Combapata bridge
- Mountain landscapes
Tour Style
- Trekking
- Archeological
Introduction
If you don’t want to walk more than 6 hours to and from the classic Rainbow Mountain (Montaña de 7 Colores), this is your best option. Not only because there isn’t much walking, but because you’ll see more than 3 Rainbow Mountains (Montañas de 7 Colores) by walking only 30 to 45 minutes. Another advantage of this attraction is that not many people visit it, so it’s not crowded like the classic Rainbow Mountain. This place is called Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains (Palcoyo Montañas de los 7 Colores). Additionally, it offers a bonus: stunning views of the Andes mountain range (Cordillera de los Andes) and the Ausangate snow-capped mountain (Nevado Ausangate), as well as a stone forest (bosque de piedras) formed by natural effects over thousands of years. Since the hike is short compared to the classic mountain, there are no horses available for rent here.
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Summary
- 04:30 - 05:00: Pickup from Cusco.
- 05:00 - 07:30: Drive to Pitumarka for breakfast.
- 07:30 - 09:00: Continue to Combapata, stop at the colonial Combapata bridge for photos.
- 09:00 - 10:00: Scenic drive to Palccoyo community (4100m), enjoy views of alpacas and mountain landscapes.
- 10:00 - 13:00: Explore Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains, optional 40-minute hike (2-3 km) for panoramic views of 3 colorful mountains and the Stone Valley.
- 13:00 - 14:00: Return to Pitumarka for lunch.
- 14:00 - 18:30: Drive back to Cusco, drop-off at your hotel or nearby.
Itinerary Detailed: Alternative Trek to Palcoyo
Day 1: Trek Full Day to Palcoyo from Cusco
The pickup time will be between 04:30 to 05:00 in the morning (we recommend acclimatizing for at least one day in Cusco before starting this tour). Once the group is together, we will head south of Cusco for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes until we reach the district of Pitumarka, where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our experienced chefs. Afterward, we will continue our journey toward the district of Combapata. Before reaching the town, we will make a stop to take photos of the colonial Combapata Bridge (this can also be done on the return trip).
Then, for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, we will travel along the left bank of the Salka River on a dirt road. During this stretch, we will see native alpacas in beautiful mountain landscapes. Finally, we will arrive at the Palccoyo community, located at 4,100 meters. From this point, we will have privileged views of the colorful Palccoyo mountain range, with its three visible colored mountains, as well as the stunning Stone Valley. This is an excellent option for those who do not enjoy long hikes. Your guide will offer the option of a 40-minute hike to reach higher points for better views of the three colored hills and the stone forest. After 2 to 3 hours of total enjoyment, we will return to Cusco in our van via the same route. We will have lunch in Pitumarka, and upon arrival in Cusco (around 18:30), we will drop you off at your hotel or nearby.
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Includes:
- Pickup from your hotel
- Tourist transportation service
- Bilingual guide service (English and Spanish)
- Admission tickets to tourist attractions
- Breakfast and lunch
Not Includes:
We recommend you to bring
- Poncho/raincoat.
- Warm clothing.
- A water bottle.
- Walking shoes/sturdy tennis shoes.
- Sunscreen.
- Camera.
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips.
In order to send you all the information regarding how to reserve, please send us an email to: info@viajesmachupicchu.com and we will respond to you as soon as possible sending you all the necessary information and/or answering your concerns.
$45.00 USD
